Mauricio Cienfuegos

Ezra Hendrickson's second goal of the game snapped a tie in the 78th minute, and recently signed Alexi Lalas set up two scores as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat CD Olimpia of Honduras 3-2 Sunday for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup title. It was a breakthrough victory for the Galaxy, which has lost twice in Major League Soccer's title game and lost the 1997 CONCACAF final. L.A. already was assured a spot in the FIFA Club World Championships this summer in Spain. Hendrickson, a native of St. Vincent...

1. Red, black and blue too Scottie Pippen said he was interested in a RedEye subscription, but we think he's just stringing us along for a free T-shirt. 2. Hello Cleveland! Jerry Kelly's opening hole at the British Open went all the way to 11. Don't even look at him. 3. Welcome to big leagues Proving itself a truly major league, MLS' commissioner added L.A. Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, who will retire at the end of the season, to...

1. Red, black and blue too Scottie Pippen said he was interested in a RedEye subscription, but we think he's just stringing us along for a free T-shirt. 2. Hello Cleveland! Jerry Kelly's opening hole at the British Open went all the way to 11. Don't even look at him. 3. Welcome to big leagues Proving itself a truly major league, MLS' commissioner added L.A. Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, who will retire at the end of the season, to...

By Grahame L. Jones, Special to the Tribune. Grahame L. Jones covers soccer for the Los Angeles Times, a Tribune newspaper | October 22, 2001

Mauricio Cienfuegos was in tears, clearly the most distraught of a stunned group of Los Angeles Galaxy players who trudged off the field Sunday after losing their third Major League Soccer championship game in six seasons, 2-1 in overtime to the San Jose Earthquakes. Cienfuegos had endured defeat before, in the MLS finals of 1996 and 1999, but this year's loss was the worst. At 33, he is the oldest of the three remaining original Galaxy players, and this was likely his last chance to...

One reason why the Fire has been among the elite teams in the Major League Soccer since its birth in 1998 has been the play of its midfield. Few teams can compare with the talent the Fire has at that crucial portion of the field--be it Peter Nowak, Chris Armas, Dema Kovalenko, DaMarcus Beasley and the steady and overlooked Jesse Marsch. But if there is a team that can hold its own with the Fire in the midfield it's the Los Angles Galaxy, its semifinal opponent. The Galaxy has...

Mauricio Cienfuegos' goal sent the Los Angeles Galaxy on to its third final, but it was more superfluous than decisive. Cienfuegos' goal eight minutes into overtime officially ended the Fire's season as the Galaxy won 2-1 in Game 3 of their Major League Soccer semifinal series. The brilliantly struck shot from about 35 yards caught Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton off his line and banged off the goal post and into the net in front of 13,444 fans at Soldier Field. The goal didn't matter much.

When his team was handed its first loss of the season 10 days ago in Chicago, Los Angeles Galaxy coach Octavio Zambrano vowed things would be different the next time his team met the Fire. He was right, but the result was the same. After withstanding a first-half assault and falling down a goal in the first 3 minutes, the Fire rallied for a 2-1 shootout victory Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in front of 28,241. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Fire (6-5), while Los Angeles fell to 10-2.

One reason why the Fire has been among the elite teams in the Major League Soccer since its birth in 1998 has been the play of its midfield. Few teams can compare with the talent the Fire has at that crucial portion of the field--be it Peter Nowak, Chris Armas, Dema Kovalenko, DaMarcus Beasley and the steady and overlooked Jesse Marsch. But if there is a team that can hold its own with the Fire in the midfield it's the Los Angles Galaxy, its semifinal opponent. The Galaxy has...

Like a spurned lover seeking a second chance, the Los Angeles Galaxy will be asking its fans to give it another chance when it faces the Fire Saturday night at the Rose Bowl. Instead of a dozen roses, the Galaxy will give its fans Mexican scoring sensation Carlos Hermosillo, who will be making his 1999 MLS debut. The Galaxy hopes Hermosillo's return from Necaxa in the Mexican League will boost its plummeting attendance. The Galaxy has averaged fewer than 15,000 a game in the 100,000-seat...

Ezra Hendrickson's second goal of the game snapped a tie in the 78th minute, and recently signed Alexi Lalas set up two scores as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat CD Olimpia of Honduras 3-2 Sunday for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup title. It was a breakthrough victory for the Galaxy, which has lost twice in Major League Soccer's title game and lost the 1997 CONCACAF final. L.A. already was assured a spot in the FIFA Club World Championships this summer in Spain. Hendrickson, a native of St. Vincent...

This is straight out of the "spooky" file. "I had a dream [Tuesday] night I gave up a penalty," Fire midfielder Jesse Marsch said after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl. It was Marsch's penalty on Mauricio Cienfuegos in the 89th minute that led to Greg Vanney's tying goal. All that was missing was the creepy music and Rod Serling appearing in the Fire dressing room. "But [in the dream] it was a handball," Marsch continued. "I swear to...

This is straight out of the "spooky" file. "I had a dream [Tuesday] night I gave up a penalty," Fire midfielder Jesse Marsch said after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl. It was Marsch's penalty on Mauricio Cienfuegos in the 89th minute that led to Greg Vanney's tying goal. All that was missing was the creepy music and Rod Serling appearing in the Fire dressing room. "But [in the dream] it was a handball," Marsch continued. "I swear to...

Sunday's Major League Soccer exhibition match at Soldier Field, a not-so-sneak preview of the season to come, also will feature a couple of players on the new Chicago franchise's wish list. The Los Angeles Galaxy, which is trying to climb out of the Western Division basement, will face Mexican club champion Guadalajara Chivas at 4 p.m. The MLS has its eye on several Chivas and Mexican national team stars to stock the Chicago team that will debut next spring. Defender Ramon Ramirez...

Like a spurned lover seeking a second chance, the Los Angeles Galaxy will be asking its fans to give it another chance when it faces the Fire Saturday night at the Rose Bowl. Instead of a dozen roses, the Galaxy will give its fans Mexican scoring sensation Carlos Hermosillo, who will be making his 1999 MLS debut. The Galaxy hopes Hermosillo's return from Necaxa in the Mexican League will boost its plummeting attendance. The Galaxy has averaged fewer than 15,000 a game in the 100,000-seat...

Mauricio Cienfuegos' goal sent the Los Angeles Galaxy on to its third final, but it was more superfluous than decisive. Cienfuegos' goal eight minutes into overtime officially ended the Fire's season as the Galaxy won 2-1 in Game 3 of their Major League Soccer semifinal series. The brilliantly struck shot from about 35 yards caught Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton off his line and banged off the goal post and into the net in front of 13,444 fans at Soldier Field. The goal didn't matter much.

When his team was handed its first loss of the season 10 days ago in Chicago, Los Angeles Galaxy coach Octavio Zambrano vowed things would be different the next time his team met the Fire. He was right, but the result was the same. After withstanding a first-half assault and falling down a goal in the first 3 minutes, the Fire rallied for a 2-1 shootout victory Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in front of 28,241. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Fire (6-5), while Los Angeles fell to 10-2.

By Grahame L. Jones, Special to the Tribune. Grahame L. Jones covers soccer for the Los Angeles Times, a Tribune newspaper | October 22, 2001

Mauricio Cienfuegos was in tears, clearly the most distraught of a stunned group of Los Angeles Galaxy players who trudged off the field Sunday after losing their third Major League Soccer championship game in six seasons, 2-1 in overtime to the San Jose Earthquakes. Cienfuegos had endured defeat before, in the MLS finals of 1996 and 1999, but this year's loss was the worst. At 33, he is the oldest of the three remaining original Galaxy players, and this was likely his last chance to...

Sunday's Major League Soccer exhibition match at Soldier Field, a not-so-sneak preview of the season to come, also will feature a couple of players on the new Chicago franchise's wish list. The Los Angeles Galaxy, which is trying to climb out of the Western Division basement, will face Mexican club champion Guadalajara Chivas at 4 p.m. The MLS has its eye on several Chivas and Mexican national team stars to stock the Chicago team that will debut next spring. Defender Ramon Ramirez...

New Jersey Nets interim coach Don Casey calls it "center by committee." That's what it has come down to for the Nets, now that All-Star center Jayson Williams has joined the team's big men on the injured list. Williams broke his right leg in a season-ending collision with teammate Stephon Marbury late in the Nets' 90-85 win Thursday night. Dr. Russell Warren inserted a plate and five screws into Williams' leg Friday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.